CALLS have been made for former Congleton Borough Council leader Linda Short to be thrown out of the Liberal Democrat Party.

A motion is to be put before the executive committee of the North West Lib Dems calling for Mrs Short and her husband Malcolm to have their membership revoked on the grounds they have brought the party into disrepute.

Mrs Short, who led the authority for 13 years, resigned as leader in December following a standards committee ruling she was 'not a suitable person' to hold the top post following an investigation into claims she had helped a friend get planning permission for a housing development.

In her last interview with the Chronicle Mrs Short said she wanted to concentrate on clearing her name but could not afford the costs of a judicial review. She continues to serve as a borough councillor for Alsager.

Congleton Borough Council declined to make any comment on attempts to oust her from the Lib Dem party.

A spokesman said: 'It is a party political matter and not for us to comment on.'